Glass and glass-ceramic sealant compositions

ABSTRACT

A glass ceramic material sealed fuel cell device, including a first fuel cell portion and a sealant layer bonded to the first cell portion. The sealant layer includes at least three metal oxides RO-M 2 O 3 —SiO 2  combined together. R is selected from the group consisting of zinc, strontium, calcium, magnesium and combinations thereof. M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof. RO is present in an amount of between about 45 mol % and about 55 mol %. M 2 O 3  is present in an amount of between about 5 mol % and about 10 mol %. SiO 2  is present in an amount of about 40 mol %. RO includes RnO present in an amount of at least about 5 mol %.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/966,614, filed Oct. 15, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of glass ceramics, and, more particularly, to a glass ceramic sealant material useful for solid oxide fuel cells and a method of making the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ceramic materials are finding increasing utility fuel cell applications. Although their inherent resistance to high temperature and chemically corrosive environments are well suited for such applications, there remains the problem of joining and/or sealing separate ceramic elements or joining ceramic and metal components. In the case of solid oxide fuel cells, ceramic electrolytes are useful for oxygen separation and charge transport at high temperatures. However, such electrolytes typically must be sealed to prevent the mixing of the fuel gas and oxidant gas species on either side of the electrolyte. The seal should not only be gas-tight, but is often also used to bond fuel cell components together. Thus, the seal has to be suitable for use in chemically and thermally extreme environments, and must also have thermal expansion characteristics comparable with those of the electrolyte.

Currently, the solid oxide electrolyte material is selected from variations on a few basic compositions. The most commonly chosen basic electrolyte materials are yttria stabilized zirconia, ceria, bismuth oxide and lanthanum gallate. The thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of these materials can range from about 100×10⁻⁷ to about 150×10⁻⁷/degree Celsius, depending on the type and concentration of dopants included therein. Fuel cells are typically operated at temperatures ranging from about 700 degrees Celsius to above 1000 degrees Celsius, depending on the type and configuration of the fuel cell. Accordingly, any sealant composition must have thermal expansion characteristics similar to those of the electrolyte (or other fuel cell components) to which the sealant is applied such that a gas tight seal is maintained at temperatures ranging from the ambient to the maximum fabrication and/or operating temperature of the resultant fuel cell device. Further, it is important that the coated substrate and the sealant not have undesired and detrimental chemical interactions. Moreover, the sealant composition must also be stable at the anticipated fuel cell operating temperature (i.e., 700-1000 degrees Celsius) for extended periods of time (i.e., the desired operating life of the fuel cell, typically about 10,000 hours) in a highly chemically reducing environments.

Various solid oxide fuel cell seal compositions have been attempted and have met with varying degrees of success. Silica, boron, and phosphate base glasses and glass-ceramics have been tried. Phosphate glasses tend to volatilize phosphates that react with the fuel cell anode to form nickel phosphide and zirconiumoxyphosphate. Further, phosphate glasses tend to crystallize to form metaphosphates and/or pyrophosphates, which are not very stabile in a humidified fuel gas at fuel cell operating temperatures.

Primarily borosilicate glasses/glass ceramics have the problem of reacting with humidified hydrogen-rich atmosphere at elevated temperatures to form the gaseous species B₂ (OH)₂ and B₂ (OH)₃. Therefore, high boron seals are apt to eventually corrode in a humidified hydrogen environment (common in fuel cell operation) over time.

Silica-based glasses and glass-ceramics fare somewhat better as fuel cell sealant material, but still have drawbacks. Although silica-based glassy materials are typically more chemically stable in a fuel cell operating environment, high-silica content glasses may have coefficients of thermal expansion sufficiently mismatched with fuel cell electrolytes and components that the seals are rapidly degraded with thermal cycling. Many of the silicate-based glasses include a BaO component to give the glass the desired CTE. BaO participates in deleterious interfacial reactions with the chromium-containing interconnect materials commonly found in solid oxide fuel cell devices, producing interfacial reaction products that compromise the mechanical integrity of the seal and/or joint.

At fuel cell operating temperatures, most glasses will crystallize relatively quickly. Thus, it is important that the coefficient of thermal expansion of not only the glass but also of the eventually formed crystallized material be compatible with the solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte. Once the glass is fully crystallized, the resultant crystalline material is typically very stable over time. Further, crystallized glasses tend to exhibit increased mechanical strength at operating temperature, translating to improved seal/joint reliability.

Fuel cell technology is becoming increasingly important as the world demand for traditional hydrocarbon fuels increases and supplies of the same decrease. As the demand for fuel cells increases, so increases the demand for sealant materials with suitable thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties. There remains a need for a sealing material composition that can operate at a temperature of up to about 1000 degrees Celsius, has a thermal expansion between 80×10⁻⁷ and 130×10⁻⁷/degree Celsius, and has no detrimental chemical interactions with the fuel cell components. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a glass composition useful for sealing and joining solid oxide fuel cell device components. The glass composition includes between about 45 mol % to about 55 mol % RO; between about 5 mol % to about 10 mol % M₂O₃; and between about 40 mol % to about 45 mol % SiO₂, where R is selected from the group including strontium, calcium, magnesium and zinc and combinations thereof and M is selected from the group including aluminum, boron, iron and combinations thereof. ZnO is typically present in an amount of at least about 5 mol %.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved glassy fuel cell sealant composition. Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph of the coefficient of thermal expansion versus temperature in degrees Celsius for a solid electrolyte, a glass and the crystallized phases of a substantially analogous glass ceramic material.

FIG. 2 is a photomicrograph of one embodiment of the present invention, a glassy seal between a ceramic piece and a metal substrate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) convert the chemical energy released by the combustion of simple fuels to electrical energy by the diffusion of oxygen ions through oxygen electrolytes, such as yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). SOFCs operate at elevated temperatures (typically exceeding 700 degrees Celsius) in order to achieve optimum operational efficiency. Hermetic seals are typically required for the operation of an SOFC to prevent the mixing of fuel and oxidant gasses outside of the cell stack as well as to prevent leakage of fuel and oxidant within the cell stack. The seals further serve to electrically isolate components of the cell. The requirements for an SOFC hermetic seal are stringent. The seal should remain substantially structurally stable for extended periods under the operational elevated temperature and chemically corrosive environmental conditions of the fuel cell. Also, the seal should be chemically compatible with the other fuel cell materials. Further, the seal should not contribute to the generation of significant stresses on the fuel cell when it is thermally cycled. In general, desirable sealing materials have thermal expansion coefficients (CTEs) that substantially match the CTEs of the fuel cell components (such as that of the YSZ electrolyte, about 100×10⁻⁷/° C.)). Finally, the seal should wet and bond to the cell components to be sealed, and should be sealed at a temperature less than the lowest processing temperature for other cell components.

Glasses based on alkaline earth aluminosilicate compositions have been proposed for SOFC seals. These materials have the requisite thermal properties for making rigid hermetic seals to many of the materials used in SOFCs; however, issues concerning long-term, high-temperature compatibility with the fuel cell materials have been raised, particularly for those glass compositions containing barium oxide, which is typically added to increase the sealant CTE to match other the CTE of the SOFC components desired to be sealed.

The present invention relates to a new composition of SOFC sealing glass that affords greater chemical and thermal stability than prior glass compositions used for these applications. The glasses of the present invention are BaO-free alkaline earth-zinc silicates, modified with additives selected from several different oxides, including B₂O₃, Al₂O₃, and TiO₂, to obtain the desired combination of chemical and thermal characteristics. Table 1 lists the molar compositions of a number of exemplary glass compositions of the present invention, and Table 2 lists thermal properties of the exemplary glass compositions of the present invention.

TABLE 1 Glass Composition (mol %) ID SrO CaO ZnO B₂O₃ Al₂O₃ SiO₂ GeO₂ BaO TiO₂ ZrO₂ Cr₂O₃ La₂O₃ 6 25.0 — 25.0 — 10.0 40.0 — — — — — — 7 27.5 — 27.5 — 5.0 40.0 — — — — — — 16 20.0 20.0 10.0 2.0 3.0 45.0 — — — — — — 18 19.6 19.6 9.8 2.0 2.9 44.1 — — 2.0 — — — 19 19.2 19.2 9.6 1.9 2.9 43.2 — — 4.0 — — — 20 16.7 16.7 16.7 2.0 3.0 45.0 — — — — — 21 16.4 16.4 16.4 2.0 2.9 44.1 — — 2.0 — — — 22 16.5 16.5 16.5 2.0 3.0 44.6 — — 1.0 — — — 23 27.5 — 27.5 2.0 3.0 40.0 — — — — — 24 25.0 13.5 13.5 5.0 3.0 40.0 — — — — — 25 24.5 13.2 13.2 4.9 2.9 39.2 — — 2.0 — — — 26 24.3 13.1 13.1 4.9 2.9 38.8 — — 3.0 — — — 27 18.5 19.2 13.2 1.9 2.9 42.2 — — 2.0 — — — 28 18.5 19.2 13.2 1.9 2.9 38.2 4.0 — 2.0 — — — 29 20.0 20.0 10.0 2.0 3.0 43.0 2.0 — — — — — 30 19.6 19.6 9.8 2.0 2.9 42.1 2.0 — 2.0 — — — 33 18.5 19.2 13.2 1.9 2.9 42.2 — — — — 2.0 — 37 — 26.0 26.0 4.0 2.0 42.0 — — — — — — 38 26.0 — 26.0 4.0 2.0 42.0 — — — — — — 39 26.0 — 26.0 7.0 2.0 39.0 — — — — — — 40 26.0 13.0 13.0 4.0 2.0 42.0 — — — — — — 41 26.0 — 26.0 2.0 2.0 44.0 — — — — — 42 26.0 13.0 13.0 2.0 2.0 42.0 — — 2.0 — — — 43 18.5 19.2 13.2 1.9 — 42.2 — — 2.0 — — 2.9

TABLE 2 Properties Glass Transition Softening Crystallization Thermal Expansion Thermal Expansion Glass Temperature Temp. Temperature (Glass, 100-600° C.) (Crystal., RT to 700°) ID (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (×10⁻⁷/° C.) (×10⁻⁷/° C.) 6 716 775 898 79 70 7 696 775 815/920 82 82 16 720 751 929 100 104 18 720 755 920-940 102 120-115 19 720 755 908 100 102 20 700 730 922 86 90 21 695 732 845 86 88 22 700 736 911 90 82 23 690 723 818-897 89 91-78 24 681 704 864 93 95 25 682 717 862 93 94 27 700 730 904 95 105 26 688 719 790-881 97 97 28 456-705 735 820-904 95 — 29 713 704 911 92 100 30 715 746 890 91 95 31 698 733 808-895 93 85 33 714 749 914 93 96 37 649 738 865-961 68 75 38 660 744 910 84 55 39 649 727 865 92 72 40 715 744 871 94 104 41 682 765 913 79 74 42 702 720 875 100 100 43 718 738 888 108 108 The glass compositions of the present invention generally have lower silica and alumina contents than other glasses developed for SOFC sealing applications and contain no BaO. For example, some prior art glasses generally have >50 mole % SiO₂, >10 mole % Al₂O₃, and >30 mole % BaO.

In the glasses of the present invention, at least 5 mol % zinc oxide (ZnO) is added to modify the viscosity the new glasses and to reduce the sealing temperatures (typically to less than about 900 degrees Celsius, and, more typically to less than about 850 degrees Celsius). The decrease in the sealing temperature is desired because some SOFC designs employ materials that cannot be exposed to temperatures greater than about 900 degrees Celsius, or even lower. The decreased silica and alumina contents in the glass compositions of the present invention promote the formation of alkaline earth-zinc pyrosilicate crystalline phases, which contribute to the desirable thermal and chemical properties of seals and joints made from the glass/glass-ceramic compositions of the present invention.

The glasses of the present invention are crystallized at the sealing temperature to form glass-ceramics with CTEs in the range (100-120×10⁻⁷/° C.) required to sealingly or joiningly bond to many common SOFC materials and remain stable during repeated thermal cycling of the SOFCs and under the SOFC thermal and chemical operating conditions (i.e., at temperatures exceeding about 700 degrees Celsius and under highly alkaline/reducing conditions). For example, FIG. 1 shows CTE curves for glass #27 before and after crystallization as well as the CTE curve for YSZ (a typical SOFC electrolyte material). The close match of the CTEs of the sealing glass and YSZ is highly desirable, because it ensures that the mechanical stresses that would otherwise develop when the SOFC is cycled between room temperature and the operational temperature are minimized. FIG. 1 further shows the CTE curve from the G#27 glass-ceramic after a 14-day isothermal heat treatment during which crystallization of the glass has occurred. The CTE of this crystallized glass has not change appreciably, indicating that the thermo-mechanical properties of an SOFC seal made with this material will not change with operational time.

The glass composition of the present invention wet and bond to SOFC component materials such as YSZ and Fe/Cr alloys used for fuel cell interconnects. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, a scanning electron photomicrograph of a seal made with a paste of glass #25 powder sealed between YSZ and an Fe/Cr substrate at 850° C. There was observed no formation of deleterious interfacial reaction products after sealing or after subsequent isothermal heat treatments that mimic SOFC operational conditions (e.g., 750° C./28 days). In particular, the compatibility of the glass/glass-ceramic compositions of the present invention at high temperatures with the Fe/Cr interconnect materials appears to be superior to that of other known sealing glass compositions, particularly those including BaO, commonly used for SOFCs.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a joint between at least two solid oxide fuel cell parts. The joint has at least three metal oxides of RO, M₂O₃, and SiO₂ combined together wherein R is selected from the group consisting of zinc, strontium, calcium, magnesium and combinations thereof. The composition includes at least 5 mol % ZnO. M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, and iron. The joint substantially matches a coefficient of thermal expansion of the at least two solid ceramic parts. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the joint is from about 80-150×10⁻⁷/° C., and, more typically, from about 100-120×10⁻⁷/° C., as measured from ambient temperature (about 25 degrees Celsius) to about 700 degrees Celsius.

The relatively low silica and alumina contents of the glass and the addition of zinc oxide yield a glass characterized by a low softening temperature and having a low viscosity above about 850 degrees Celsius and a substantially higher viscosity after crystallization at temperatures below about 800 degrees Celsius. It is desired that fuel cell sealant glasses have relatively low viscosities (typically above about 900 degrees Celsius, more typically above about 850 degrees Celsius), sufficiently low such that the glass may readily flow onto the electrolyte or other fuel cell component substrate. It is also desired that fuel cell sealant glasses have relatively high viscosities at the fuel cell operating temperatures (between about 700 and 800 degrees Celsius) such that the seal is not readily thinned or damaged and/or that any fuel cell joints incorporating the sealants do not become weakened. While the addition of boria (boron oxide, or B₂O₃) will also contribute to the desired viscosity characteristics of the sealant glass composition, boria is known to be highly volatile and reactive with the fuel cell materials in humid hydrogen environments when present in even moderate concentrations. Thus, it is desirable to keep boria concentrations less than about 5 mol %, and more desirable to keep boria concentrations less than about 3 mol %.

The glass precursor used to form the seal material typically has a composition that may be expressed as

RO-M₂O₃—SiO₂

wherein the RO is typically present in an amount from about 40 mol % to about 60 mol %, and more typically in the range from about 45 mol % to about 55 mol %, and still more typically wherein RO is present at about 50 mol %; M₂O₃ is typically present in an amount from about 2 mol % to about 10 mol % and more typically is present in amounts from about 2 mol % to about 5 mol %; and the SiO₂ is typically present in an amount from about 35 mol % to about 45 mol % and is more typically present in an amount of about 40 mol %.

The glass-ceramic compound may further contain at least one additional metal oxide including but not limited to titanium oxide, zirconium oxide and combinations thereof to modify the properties of the glass phase or the final crystallized seal. Such a composition may be expressed as

X[(RO).(M₂O₃).(SiO₂)]Y(QO₂)

wherein X is typically between about 0.95 and about 1.0 and Y is typically between about 0 and about 0.05. Q is typically selected from the group including titanium, zirconium and combinations thereof. As above, R is selected from the group including strontium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and combinations thereof and M is selected from the group including aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof. Properties of interest include but are not limited to wetting, glass transition temperature (Tg), glass softening temperature (Ts), thermal expansion coefficient, chemical and thermal stability, and combinations thereof.

The range of thermal expansion coefficients for both glass and crystallized glass-ceramic is typically from about 80-150×10⁻⁷/° C.; more typically, for common fuel cell components of interest, the range of thermal expansion coefficients for both glass-ceramic and crystallized glass-ceramic is from about 100-120×10⁻⁷/° C. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) and softening temperature (Ts) for the glasses are typically in the range of about 650 degrees Celsius to about 800 degrees Celsius. Substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion is herein defined as the CTE of the seal material within about 20%, preferably within about 10%, more preferably within about 5% of the sealed material.

According to the present invention, a method of joining a first solid ceramic part piece to a second (typically ceramic or metal) piece generally includes the steps of:

(a) providing a powdered glass having a composition of RO, M₂O₃, and SiO₂ that substantially matches a coefficient of thermal expansion of the first and second pieces, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium, magnesium and zinc and combinations thereof, and M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, iron and combinations thereof;

(b) placing the powdered glass at an interface of the first and second pieces as a pre-assembly;

(c) heating the pre-assembly to a temperature sufficient to cause the blend to flow into said interface as an assembly; and

(d) cooling the assembly and solidifying said blend thereby joining the at least two ceramic parts.

As detailed above, ZnO is typically present in an amount of at least about 5 mol %. RO is typically present in an amount from about 45 mol % to about 55 mol %, M₂O₃ is present in an amount from about 5 mol % to about 10 mol %, and SiO₂ is present in an amount from about 40 mol % to about 45 mol %. In the case of an SOFC, the first ceramic piece is typically a YSZ electrolyte substrate and the second piece is typically a Fe/Cr metal interconnect.

EXAMPLE 1

A glass composition with 27.5 mole percent strontium oxide, 27.5 mole percent zinc oxide, 5 mole percent dialuminum trioxide and 40 mole percent silicon dioxide. The formula may be expressed as follows:

27.5SrO.27.5ZnO.5Al₂O₃.40SiO₂

A glass formed from this composition was measured to have a glass transition temperature T_(g) of 696 degrees Celsius, a dilatometric softening point of 737 degrees Celsius, a peak maximum crystallization temperature of 815 degrees Celsius and a CTE of 82×10⁻⁷/° C. Glasses with about this composition should have about the same properties as listed above.

EXAMPLE 2

A glass composition with 25 mole percent strontium oxide, 25 mole percent zinc oxide, 10 mole percent dialuminum trioxide and 40 mole percent silicon dioxide. The formula may be expressed as follows:

25SrO.25ZnO.10Al₂O₃.40SiO₂

A glass formed from this composition was measured to have a glass transition temperature T_(g) of 716 degrees Celsius, a dilatometric softening point of 775 degrees Celsius, a peak maximum crystallization temperature of 898 degrees Celsius and a CTE of 82×10⁻⁷/° C. Glasses with about this composition should have about the same properties as listed above.

EXAMPLE 3

A glass composition with 25 mole percent strontium oxide, 25 mole percent zinc oxide, 5 mole percent diferrous trioxide, 5 mole percent dialuminum trioxide and 40 mole percent silicon dioxide. The formula may be expressed as follows:

SrO.25ZnO.5Fe₂O₃.5Al₂O₃.40SiO₂

A glass formed from this composition was measured to have a glass transition temperature T_(g) of 716 degrees Celsius, a dilatometric softening point of 775 degrees Celsius, a peak maximum crystallization temperature of 898 degrees Celsius and a CTE of 82×10⁻⁷/° C. Glasses with about this composition should have about the same properties as listed above.

EXAMPLE 4

A glass composition with 26 mole percent strontium oxide, 13 mole percent calcium oxide, 13 mole percent zinc oxide, 2 mole percent diboron trioxide, 2 mole percent dialuminum trioxide, 42 mole percent silicon dioxide and 2 mole percent titanium dioxide. The formula may be expressed as follows:

26SrO.13CaO.13ZnO.2B₂O₃.2Al₂O₃.42SiO₂.2TiO₂

A glass formed from this composition was measured to have a glass transition temperature T_(g) of 702 degrees Celsius, a dilatometric softening point of 720 degrees Celsius, a peak maximum crystallization temperature of 875 degrees Celsius and a CTE of 100×10⁻⁷/° C. Glasses with about this composition should have about the same properties as listed above.

EXAMPLE 5

A glass composition with 18.5 mole percent strontium oxide, 19.2 mole percent calcium oxide, 13.2 mole percent zinc oxide, 1.9 mole percent diboron trioxide, 2.9 mole percent dilanthanum trioxide, 42.2 mole percent silicon dioxide, and 2.0 mole percent titanium dioxide. The formula may be expressed as follows:

18.5SrO.19.2CaO.13.2ZnO.1.9B₂O₃.2.9La₂O₃.42.2.0SiO₂.2TiO₂

A glass formed from this composition was measured to have a glass transition temperature T_(g) of 718 degrees Celsius, a dilatometric softening point of 738 degrees Celsius, a peak maximum crystallization temperature of 888 degrees Celsius and a CTE of 108×10⁻⁷/° C. Glasses with about this composition should have about the same properties as listed above.

EXAMPLE 6

A glass composition with 26 mole percent strontium oxide, 13 mole percent calcium oxide, 13 mole percent zinc oxide, 2 mole percent diboron trioxide, 2 mole percent dialuminum trioxide, 42 mole percent silicon dioxide and 2 mole percent titanium dioxide. The formula may be expressed as follows:

26SrO.26ZnO.2B₂O₃.2Al₂O₃.44SiO₂

A glass formed from this composition was measured to have a glass transition temperature T_(g) of 682 degrees Celsius, a dilatometric softening point of 765 degrees Celsius, a peak maximum crystallization temperature of 913 degrees Celsius and a CTE of 79×10⁻⁷/° C. Glasses with about this composition should have about the same properties as listed above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

1. A glass ceramic material sealed device, comprising in combination: a first substrate; and a sealant layer bonded to the first substrate; wherein the sealant layer includes at least three metal oxides RO-M₂O₃—SiO₂ combined together; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of zinc, strontium, calcium, magnesium and combinations thereof; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; wherein the RO is present in an amount of between about 45 mol % and about 55 mol %; wherein the M₂O₃ is present in an amount of between about 5 mol % and about 10 mol %; wherein said SiO₂ is present in an amount of about 40 mol %; and wherein the RO includes ZnO present in an amount of at least about 5 mol %.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the M₂O₃ includes Al₂O₃ present in an amount of between about 2 mol % and about 5 mol %.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealant layer includes at least 25 mol % ZnO.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealant layer includes at least 20 mol % MgO.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first substrate is a substantially yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the first substrate is a solid oxide fuel cell component.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the first substrate and the sealant layer have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealant layer is substantially amorphous.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealant layer is substantially crystalline.
 10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second substrate bonded to the sealant layer.
 11. A glass ceramic material sealed device, comprising in combination: a substrate; and a sealant layer bonded to the substrate; wherein the sealant layer has a composition of X[(RO).(M₂O₃).(SiO₂)]Y(QO₂); wherein 0.95≦X≦1.0; wherein 0≦Y≦0.05; wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium and combinations thereof; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and combinations thereof; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; wherein the RO is present in an amount of about 50 mol %; wherein the M₂O₃ is present in an amount of about 5 mol %; wherein said SiO₂ is present in an amount of about 45 mol %; and wherein R contains at least about 5 mol % zinc.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein Al₂O₃ is present in amounts less than about 3 mol %. 13-18. (canceled)
 19. A method of joining at least two solid ceramic parts, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a blend of RO, M₂O₃, and SiO₂ that substantially matches a coefficient of thermal expansion of the at least two solid ceramic parts, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium, magnesium and zinc and combinations thereof, and M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; (b) placing the blend at an interface of said at least two ceramic parts as a pre-assembly; (c) heating the pre-assembly to a temperature sufficient to cause the blend to flow into said interface as an assembly; and (d) cooling the assembly and solidifying said blend thereby joining the at least two ceramic parts; wherein ZnO is present in an amount of at least about 5 mol %; wherein the RO is present in an amount from about 40 mol % to about 60 mol %; wherein the M₂O₃ is present in an amount from about 2 mol % to about 10 mol %; and wherein the SiO₂ is present in an amount from about 35 mol % to about 45 mol %.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the joining is sealing.
 21. The method of claim 19 wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion is from about 80(10⁻⁷) per degree Celsius to about 120(10⁻⁷ per degree Celsius as measured from 25 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius.
 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising at least one additional metal oxide.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the at least one additional metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of TiO₂, ZrO₂ and combinations thereof.
 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least two ceramic parts are parts of a solid oxide fuel cell.
 25. The method of claim 19, wherein one of the respective at least two ceramic parts is a yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte.
 26. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of: (e) at least partially crystallizing the interfacial layer.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein during step (e) at least one alkaline earth-zinc pyrosilicate crystalline phase forms
 28. A method of joining a ceramic piece to a second piece, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a glass powder having a composition of RO, M₂O₃, and SiO₂ that substantially matches a coefficient of thermal expansion of the at least two solid ceramic parts, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium, magnesium and zinc and combinations thereof, and M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; wherein the RO is present in an amount from about 40 mol % to about 60 mol %; wherein ZnO is present in an amount of at least about 5 mol %; wherein the M₂O₃ is present in an amount from about 2 mol % to about 10 mol %; and wherein the SiO₂ is present in an amount from about 35 mol % to about 45 mol %; (b) placing the glass powder at an interface of the ceramic piece and the second piece as a pre-assembly; (c) heating the pre-assembly to a temperature sufficient to cause the glass powder to soften and flow into said interface to form an interfacial layer; and (d) cooling and solidifying the interfacial layer thereby joining the ceramic piece and the second piece.
 29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of: (e) at least partially crystallizing the interfacial layer.
 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising at least one additional metal oxide.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein said at least one additional metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of TiO₂, ZrO₂ and combinations thereof.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein one of the respective ceramic and second pieces is part of a solid oxide fuel cell.
 33. A glass composition, comprising: about 45 mol % to about 55 mol % RO; about 5 mol % to about 10 mol % M₂O₃; and about 40 mol % to about 45 mol % SiO₂; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium, magnesium and zinc and combinations thereof, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; and wherein ZnO is present in an amount of at least about 5 mol %.
 34. The composition of claim 33 further comprising: about 25 mol % SrO; about 25 mol % ZnO about 10 mol % Al₂O₃; and about 40 mol % SiO₂.
 35. The composition of claim 33 further comprising: about 27.5 mol % SrO; about 27.5 mol % ZnO about 5 mol % Al₂O₃; and about 40 mol % SiO₂.
 36. The composition of claim 33 further comprising: about 25 mol % SrO; about 25 mol % ZnO about 5 mol % Al₂O₃; about 5 mol % Fe₂O₃; and about 40 mol % SiO₂.
 37. The composition of claim 33 further comprising: about 26 mol % SrO; about 26 mol % ZnO about 2 mol % Al₂O₃; about 2 mol % B₂O₃; and about 44 mol % SiO₂.
 38. The composition of claim 33 further comprising: about 26 mol % SrO; about 13 mol % CaO; about 13 mol % ZnO; about 2 mol % Al₂O₃; about 2 mol % B₂O₃; about 42 mol % SiO₂; and about 2 mol % TiO₂
 39. The composition of claim 33 further comprising: about 18.5 mol % SrO; about 19.2 mol % CaO; about 13.2 mol % ZnO; about 1.9 mol % B₂O₃; about 2.9 mol % La₂O₃; about 42.2 mol % SiO₂; and about 2 mol % TiO₂
 40. A glass ceramic material sealed fuel cell device, comprising in combination: a first fuel cell portion; and a sealant layer bonded to the first cell portion; wherein the sealant layer includes at least three metal oxides RO-M₂O₃—SiO₂ combined together; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of zinc, strontium, calcium, magnesium and combinations thereof; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; wherein the RO is present in an amount of between about 45 mol % and about 55 mol %; wherein the M₂O₃ is present in an amount of between about 5 mol % and about 10 mol %; wherein said SiO₂ is present in an amount of about 40 mol %; and wherein the RO includes RnO present in an amount of at least about 5 mol %.
 41. The device of claim 33 wherein the M₂O₃ includes Al₂O₃ present in an amount of between about 2 mol % and about 5 mol %.
 42. The device of claim 33 wherein the sealant layer includes at least 25 mol % ZnO.
 43. The device of claim 33 wherein the sealant layer includes at least 20 mol % MgO.
 44. The device of claim 33 wherein the first fuel cell portion is a substantially yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte.
 45. The device of claim 33 wherein the first fuel cell portion is a solid oxide fuel cell component.
 46. The device of claim 33 wherein the first fuel cell portion and the sealant layer have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.
 47. The device of claim 33 wherein the sealant layer is substantially amorphous.
 48. The device of claim 33 wherein the sealant layer is substantially crystalline.
 49. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second substrate bonded to the sealant layer.
 50. A glass ceramic material sealed fuel cell device, comprising in combination: a solid oxide fuel cell component; and a sealant layer bonded to the substrate; wherein the sealant layer has a composition of X[(RO).(M₂O₃).(SiO₂)]Y(QO₂); wherein 0.95≦X≦1.0; wherein 0≦Y≦0.05; wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium and combinations thereof; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and combinations thereof; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; wherein the RO is present in an amount of about 50 mol %; wherein the M₂O₃ is present in an amount of about 5 mol %; wherein said SiO₂ is present in an amount of about 45 mol %; and wherein R contains at least about 5 mol % zinc.
 51. The device of claim 42 wherein Al₂O₃ is present in amounts less than about 3 mol %.
 52. The device of claim 42 wherein the solid oxide fuel cell component is an yttria stabilized zirconia electrolyte substrate.
 53. A solid oxide fuel cell comprising: a first ceramic oxide electrolyte layer; a second ceramic oxide electrolyte layer; and a joint layer bonded disposed between and bonded to the first and second ceramic oxide electrolyte layers; wherein the joint layer has a composition of X[(RO).(M₂O₃).(SiO₂)]Y(QO₂); wherein 0.95≦X≦1.0; wherein 0≦Y≦0.05; wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium and combinations thereof; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and combinations thereof; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; wherein the RO is present in an amount of about 50 mol %; wherein the M₂O₃ is present in an amount of about 5 mol %; wherein the SiO₂ is present in an amount of about 45 mol %; and wherein R contains at least about 5 mol % zinc.
 54. The device of claim 46 wherein the first and second ceramic oxide electrolyte layers and the joint layer have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.
 55. The device of claim 46 wherein the joint layer is substantially amorphous.
 56. The device of claim 46 wherein the joint layer is substantially crystalline.
 57. A solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising: a first ceramic oxide electrolyte layer; a second ceramic oxide electrolyte layer; and a joint layer bonded disposed between and bonded to the first and second ceramic oxide electrolyte layers; wherein the joint layer includes at least three metal oxides RO-M₂O₃—SiO₂ combined together; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of zinc, strontium, calcium, magnesium and combinations thereof; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; wherein the RO is present in an amount of between about 45 mol % and about 55 mol %; wherein the M₂O₃ is present in an amount of between about 5 mol % and about 10 mol %; wherein said SiO₂ is present in an amount of about 40 mol %; and wherein the RO includes ZnO present in an amount of at least 5 mol %.
 58. The device of claim 50 wherein the first and second ceramic oxide electrolyte layer and the joint layer have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.
 59. The device of claim 50 wherein the joint layer is substantially amorphous.
 60. The device of claim 50 wherein the joint layer is substantially crystalline.
 61. A fuel cell device having a joint disposed between at least two solid oxide fuel cell parts comprising: a first solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte layer; a second solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte layer; and a joint layer bonded between the first and second solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte layers and further comprising: at least three metal oxides RO, M₂O₃, and SiO₂ combined together; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium, magnesium and zinc and combinations thereof; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, lanthanum, iron and combinations thereof; wherein the joint substantially matches a coefficient of thermal expansion of at least two solid ceramic parts; wherein the RO is present in an amount from about 40 mol % to about 60 mol %; wherein the M₂O₃ is present in an amount from about 2 mol % to about 10 mol %; wherein said SiO₂ is present in an amount from about 35 mol % to about 45 mol %; and wherein ZnO is present in an amount of at least about 5 mol %.
 62. The device of claim 54 wherein the first and second ceramic oxide electrolyte layer and the joint layer have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.
 63. The device of claim 54 wherein the joint layer is substantially amorphous.
 64. The device of claim 54 wherein the joint layer is substantially crystalline. 